This is what it was like in Watford town centre on 'freedom day'

Today officially marked the start of a new era after Covid restrictions that have changed the way we live our lives for more than a year were removed.

But a visit to town at around lunchtime today showed many people are not ready to give up on safety precautions just yet.

For example inside the Atria Watford shopping centre, there was a constant stream of people wearing face coverings or masks. These tended to range from elderly people to those from BAME backgrounds, but there were also parents with young children, and young adults spotted with a mask on.

Atria Watford confirmed last week that shoppers are welcome to wear masks if they wish to do so and those who don’t won’t be challenged.

Seating areas have returned to Atria Watford although they weren't necessarily in use when we visited

At the entrances to stores, the hand sanitising stations remained, as did guidance on health and safety but there was no one there to check whether people coming in were wearing a mask or not.

Next is still operating a one-way system and had signs up thanking customers for wearing masks. Primark had a hand sanitising station at its front door, while H Samuel had a sign asking for customers to "kindly" wear face coverings, while staff at Therapie Clinic were wearing face shields.

 At the entrance to virtually every shop, there was some kind of reminder that a contagious virus is still spreading.

The majority of employees within the shops in Atria Watford were wearing face coverings – for some stores, it remains a company policy.

Outside the shopping centre, inevitably there was less mask-wearing, except at bus stops. Town wasn’t overly busy but clearly people were making the most of the hot sunny weather.

A cluster of shoppers heading in and out of stores on the High Street had a mask on; some even wore face shields.

Although there is no legal requirement to socially distance or wear a mask, Maria Manion, chief executive of Watford Business Improvement District, told us she believes there is a "nervousness" from both customers and business owners.

This is hardly a surprise with the rate of infections increasing week-by-week, mainly involving teenagers and young adults. The 51 cases recorded in Central Watford in the seven days to July 13 was more than any other ward in south west Hertfordshire.

Central Watford is also known currently for having the lowest vaccination uptake out of any ward in south west Hertfordshire, with less than half of the population fully vaccinated.

We also met with Watford’s mayor Peter Taylor who made clear he would be continuing to wear a mask indoors, despite being double jabbed.

He said: "I encourage people to wear face masks. For the vast majority of people, I think it’s just a minor inconvenience to wear one. But most importantly if you haven’t already, please get vaccinated. If you have been vaccinated, your chance of going to hospital reduces by 96 per cent."

Maria added: "I think there is a genuine nervousness around. When I visited Atria Watford today, I think I saw more people wearing masks than on other mornings. Most people are behaving responsibly.

"We’ve been in discussions with businesses on how to keep their employees safe. It certainly isn’t like pre-Covid again but there is cautious optimism (for our businesses).

"What I would say to residents is come out and do the things you say you wanted to do during lockdown. Come and support our businesses. Only by people physically using it will it be maintained."

Watford town centre today

Seventy-nine-year-old William was sat by St Mary’s Churchyard making the most of the sunshine and he told us why he would continue to take precautions, despite being double vaccinated.

He said: "I will wear a mask in shops and on the bus, it helps keep the drivers safe. People in shops are wearing a mask so why shouldn’t I?

"I’ll do what I can to keep everything going. I think I will wear a mask until the cases come down because I do feel safer (wearing one). I think Boris (Johnson) has been a bit hasty but we’ll have to see how this goes, give it a few weeks."

Another shopper was sat on a bench in the High Street near a bus stop wearing a mask.

She said: "I’m wearing a mask to protect myself. I’ve had Covid but as long as I have my mask on I feel safe.

"I’m not put off by people mixing but you have to use some common sense. I just hope we don’t reach the number of deaths we had before."